(a) Referral on Filing of a New Case. Except as otherwise provided by
order, and except for motions under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, actions for writs filed by
federal prisoners, actions filed by pro se prisoners, cases originating in the
bankruptcy court, complaints accompanied by a motion for temporary restraining
order or preliminary injunction under Fed.R.Civ.P. 65, petitions brought pursuant
to the Hague Convention, and cases governed by Appendix A of these rules, all
cases will be assigned to a magistrate judge upon filing and be subject to the
consent election procedure set forth in Local Rule 73.1.
(b) Referral After Filing. An active Article III judge may at any time
designate a United States magistrate judge to exercise jurisdiction over a civil case,
matter, or motion in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636.
(c) Article III Judge. In any case referred to a magistrate judge under
subsection (a), the Article III judge may act sua sponte regardless of the referral.
